Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-22
PROTEST

Against this Unjust Interpretation of tho
Constitution Presented on Behalf of the
Women of the United States by Officers of
tho National Woman Suffrage ASCOT
alton
To the President Of the United states the Gcv
errors OF the states, and other federal snd
state officials, on the occasion of the Cons:!-
tuttonal Centennial in Pniladelphla, Septem-
Der l., 1887.
Rejoicing as jewellers in this favored
lsnd that the noble series OF celebrations
in the commemoration of the birth of 8
mighty nstionshsye been tittingly brought
to conclusion by the ceremonies of this
dsv, we yet cannot allow the occasion 10
pass without reminding you that one
halt the people who obey the laws Of the
United States are unjustly denied ell
place OR part in the body polite. In
the midst OF the pomps and glories of
this celebration women are only onlook-
ers, voiceless and unrepreselted.
This denial OF our chartered rights,
this injustice OF which we complain, is in
hicted in defiance of the provisions 81 the
constitution you profess 10 honor. Wien
we examine that instrument we ind it de-
claTed in the preamble that it was: "Of-
dsined hnd established by the people Of
the United Stetes;" one-haIf OF the people
of the United States are women, yet they
are allowed no voice, direct or indirect,
II framing this constitution or executing
its provisions, we protest therefore that
the words OF the preamble lave been fall
sihed for hundred years.
We fad it declared in article /, section
>, that "The House ct Representatives
shall be composed Of members Chosed Dy
the people One-half the people OF
every state are women, and yet they have
never been permitted to caoose the mem
bers Of the House of Representatives.
We protest, therefore, that this important
provision of the constitution has been
shamefully violated, and that the denial
to women Of the right thus plainly Sc
cured to them has been a grieYous wrong.
We find that in article 4, section 3, it is
declared; "The citizens of each state
shall be entitled to all the privileges and
immunities OF citizens OF the several
states.' The Supreme court Of the
United States has ruled that women are
citizens, and yet these millions Of citi-
zcns are denied the privilege OF the ballot,
which is throughout the land granted to
male citizens and refused to female citi-
zens. We protest, therefore, that in thus
denying to women the exercise of the
elective franchise, the fundamental rights
OF citizenship are WITHHELD IN defiance Of d
| direct provision Of the constitution.
We find that in article 4, section (, it is
| declared that: "The United States shall
guarantee to every state in the Union q
republican form OF government" A
republic is defined IS "a state governed
| by representatives elected by the citi-
zans." One half of the citizens of every
state are women; they have never been
| permitted to elect the officials VINO have
held rule over them. We protest, there
fore, that the provisions Of this article
have never been fulfilled; that not 6
solitary state in the Union has republi-
c8n form Of government. But, thst or
the contrary, each and every one Is des
potism under which one-haIt the citizens
are held il 8 condition of poltica
slavery.
The recital OF these facts is the sum
mary OF century OF Injustice. W.
soIemnly and earnestly protest against it,
continuance, and demand that heresfte
the constitution OF these Uuited State!
shall be interpreted in accordance will
simple words in which it is framed. Tns
there shall be no longer cruel and IN
warranted discrimination against an,
class Of our citizens, but that in tn
future al the people Of the Nation ghsl
have an equal voice in choosing the ruler
whose high mission it shall be to guide
true republic on its course Of glory.
On behalf of the National Woman
Suffrage Association,
SUSAN B. ANTHONY, n. Y,
Acting President.
MATILDA JosLYN GAGE, n. Y,
ViCe-P resident-at
RACHEL 6. FosTKR, Ps.,
Corresponding Secretary.
MARY WRIGHT SEwALL, Ind,
Chairman Executive CommitteeF
LILLE DEvEREUx BLAKE, N. Y Il
Vice President for New York,
Chairman Presentation Committee